Which shoe is better: ASICS Novablast 4 or HOKA Clifton 9?

The ASICS Novablast 4 leads with a SoleVersus Meta-Score of 82 PTS compared to 79 PTS for the HOKA Clifton 9 (+3.0 point lead). Choose the Novablast 4 for superior mechanical performance powered by FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam. The Clifton 9 remains a solid alternative if you prefer Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA).

What is the difference in drop and weight between ASICS Novablast 4 and HOKA Clifton 9?

The ASICS Novablast 4 weighs 260g with a 8mm drop (41.5mm heel / 33.5mm forefoot). The HOKA Clifton 9 weighs 248g with a 5mm drop (32mm heel / 27mm forefoot). The Clifton 9 is 12g lighter. The drop difference is 3mm.

ASICS Novablast 4 vs HOKA Clifton 9

Head-to-Head Comparison·Lab Telemetry

ASICS · Max Cushion

WINNER

Novablast 4

AXIS_Y // 0.0M9 // 280mm

Stack41.5mm

Weight260g

Drop8mm

Full Audit→

HOKA · Max Cushion

Clifton 9

Compression-molded

AXIS_Y // 0.0M9 // 280mm

Stack32mm

Weight248g

Drop5mm

Full Audit→

8-Axis Telemetry Radar

Novablast82vsClifton79

Novablast 4 leads by +3.0 PTS

Tap any axis node to inspect wear-test citations

Key Differences & Advantages

82–79 · strong

Why choose Novablast 4?Buy Novablast 4 if

+2.4 Energy Return & Bounce

+2.4 Underfoot Rebound: Snappier propulsion and mechanical return through toe-off.

Why choose Clifton 9?Buy Clifton 9 if

+1.2 Stability & Support

+1.2 Stability & Support: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.

The Runner's Pick

Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?

Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs

ASICS

Novablast 4

Choose the Novablast 4 if:

Choose the Novablast 4 if your priority is explosive energy return and dynamic toe-off propulsion powered by FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam (260g). It is the better match for runners targeting race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts over the Clifton 9's focus on neutral support and surefooted stride containment.

8mm drop · 260g · $140Audit

HOKA

Clifton 9

Choose the Clifton 9 if:

Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is a secure, planted base with confident guidance powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) (248g). It is the better match for runners targeting neutral support and surefooted stride containment over the Novablast 4's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.

5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit

Dealbreaker Warnings · Who Should Skip These

Critical biomechanical trade-offs to avoid buying the wrong shoe

ASICS Novablast 4

Skip Novablast 4 if you need medial guidance for moderate to severe overpronation; the tall, softly sculpted platform shifts under lateral load.

HOKA Clifton 9

Skip Clifton 9 if you want explosive trampoline bounce for tempo sessions; the midsole is tuned for grounded, predictable shock absorption.

8-Axis Telemetry Radar

Novablast 4 leads by +3.0 PTS

Novablast82vsClifton79

Tap any axis node to inspect wear-test citations

🔬 Inspect Granular Lab Specs & Fit Telemetry▼

Fit & Sizing Consensus

Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles

Novablast 4

Clifton 9

Sizing LengthSizing differs

Runs Small

Clifton69%

True to Size

Novablast63%

Runs Large

Novablast 4: True to size(n=19)

Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)

Toe Box WidthSizing differs

Performance Tight

Clifton57%

Standard

Wide

Novablast74%

Novablast 4: Roomy / wide toe box(n=18)

Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)

Arch SupportSizing differs

Flat / Low

Novablast61%

Neutral Stability

Clifton73%

High Arch

Novablast 4: Flat / low arch(n=15)

Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)

ASICS Novablast 4 vs HOKA Clifton 9 — eight cohort-calibrated radar axes scored one to ten. Delta is Novablast 4 minus Clifton 9; positive favors Novablast 4. Score provenance: v1.0, data vintage 2026-10-24. Meta-Score weights score band names.
RADAR AXIS	Novablast 4	Clifton 9	Δ DELTA	COHORT RANK
Cushioning & Softness	9.1	8.5	+0.6 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.6)	#4/18
Energy Return & Bounce	9.0	6.6	+2.4 (Novablast 4 higher by 2.4)	#4/18
Weight Efficiency	8.7	8.4	+0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3)	#4/18
Stability & Support	6.2	7.4	−1.2 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN)	#4/18
Traction & Grip	7.6	7.3	+0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3)	#4/18
Upper Comfort & Lockdown	8.3	8.2	+0.1 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.1)	#4/18
Breathability	8.6	7.6	+1.0 (Novablast 4 higher by 1.0)	#4/18
Durability	7.9	8.3	−0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN)	#4/18
Meta-Score	82strong	79contender	+3.0	Calibrated

The Record · Specification Telemetry

Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs

Novablast 4

Clifton 9

Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers

Novablast 4260g

Clifton 9248g

›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 12g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.

Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 65% of trainers

Novablast 441.5mm

Clifton 932.0mm

›ASICS Novablast 4 delivers 9.5mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.

Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 3.0mm

Novablast 48.0mm

Clifton 95.0mm

›Novablast 4's 8mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.

Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 92% of tested foams

FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam9.0/10

Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10

›FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)'s grounded, stable feel.

Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 87% of road shoes

ASICSGRIP with exposed midsole foam patches7.9/10

Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10

›Clifton 9 utilizes Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.

Fit & Sizing Consensus

Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles

Novablast 4

Clifton 9

Sizing LengthSizing differs

Runs Small

Clifton69%

True to Size

Novablast63%

Runs Large

Novablast 4: True to size(n=19)

Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)

Toe Box WidthSizing differs

Performance Tight

Clifton57%

Standard

Wide

Novablast74%

Novablast 4: Roomy / wide toe box(n=18)

Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)

Arch SupportSizing differs

Flat / Low

Novablast61%

Neutral Stability

Clifton73%

High Arch

Novablast 4: Flat / low arch(n=15)

Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)

The Record · Specification Telemetry

Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs

Novablast 4

Clifton 9

Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers

Novablast 4260g

Clifton 9248g

›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 12g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.

Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 65% of trainers

Novablast 441.5mm

Clifton 932.0mm

›ASICS Novablast 4 delivers 9.5mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.

Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 3.0mm

Novablast 48.0mm

Clifton 95.0mm

›Novablast 4's 8mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.

Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 92% of tested foams

FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam9.0/10

Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10

›FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)'s grounded, stable feel.

Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 87% of road shoes

ASICSGRIP with exposed midsole foam patches7.9/10

Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10

›Clifton 9 utilizes Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.

ASICS Novablast 4 vs HOKA Clifton 9 — eight cohort-calibrated radar axes scored one to ten. Delta is Novablast 4 minus Clifton 9; positive favors Novablast 4. Score provenance: v1.0, data vintage 2026-10-24. Meta-Score weights score band names.
RADAR AXIS	Novablast 4	Clifton 9	Δ DELTA	COHORT RANK
Cushioning & Softness	9.1	8.5	+0.6 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.6)	#4/18
Energy Return & Bounce	9.0	6.6	+2.4 (Novablast 4 higher by 2.4)	#4/18
Weight Efficiency	8.7	8.4	+0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3)	#4/18
Stability & Support	6.2	7.4	−1.2 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN)	#4/18
Traction & Grip	7.6	7.3	+0.3 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.3)	#4/18
Upper Comfort & Lockdown	8.3	8.2	+0.1 (Novablast 4 higher by 0.1)	#4/18
Breathability	8.6	7.6	+1.0 (Novablast 4 higher by 1.0)	#4/18
Durability	7.9	8.3	−0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN)	#4/18
Meta-Score	82strong	79contender	+3.0	Calibrated

The Runner's Pick

Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?

Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs

ASICS

Novablast 4

Choose the Novablast 4 if:

8mm drop · 260g · $140Audit

HOKA

Clifton 9

Choose the Clifton 9 if:

5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit

Quiver Overlap

Direct Max Cushion Rivals

2-Shoe Rotation Strategy

Both models occupy the exact same max cushion slot on your shoe rack. Rather than buying both, runner consensus suggests picking the lighter Clifton 9 (248g) for quicker cadence, or the Novablast 4 for its FF BLAST+ Eco supercritical foam ride feel and structure.

Novablast 4 RoleMax Cushion Workhorse

Clifton 9 RoleAlternative Max Cushion

Explore Related Showdowns

High-traffic benchmark rivalries and cohort showdowns

Novablast 4

Clifton 9

Novablast 4 leads by +3.0 PTS

Why choose Novablast 4?Buy Novablast 4 if

Why choose Clifton 9?Buy Clifton 9 if

Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?

Novablast 4

Choose the Novablast 4 if:

Clifton 9

Choose the Clifton 9 if:

Novablast 4 leads by +3.0 PTS

Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?

Novablast 4

Choose the Novablast 4 if:

Clifton 9

Choose the Clifton 9 if:

Direct Max Cushion Rivals

Explore Related Showdowns

GEL-CUMULUS 26 vs Novablast 4

GEL-KAYANO 31 vs Novablast 4

Torin 8 vs Clifton 9

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